Roofing Contractors that Care for Employee Safety
Roofing is one of the most dangerous industries out there. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 6,900 cases of workplace injury or illness related to roofing in 2021, which was an increase from 2020.
To put it simply, roofing is a dangerous business that requires all roofing staff to be familiar with and follow safety measures and best practices. Your roofing contractor has an obligation to adhere to all roofing safety tips, including those required by OSHA and additional measures that must be taken by any Colorado roofing company.
Here’s what you should look for when looking for a Denver roofing contractor that sticks to safe roofing practices and prioritizes employee safety.
General Roof Safety Measures
There are a lot of roofing safety tips and tricks that apply to both roofing and other construction jobs, as well:
- Being mindful of the weather, only working when it’s safe outside
- Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear
- Lifting heavy objects, the smart way
- Using proper eye protection and other personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Placing ladders in stable, secure positions, and tying them off
- Training for dangerous equipment and tools like nail guns
- Inspecting equipment to make sure it’s safe to use
- Being aware of your surroundings, including electrical wires, skylights, ropes and other trip hazards
But by far, the most important safety measure for roofing contractors to consider is fall prevention.
Fall Prevention
People falling from dangerous heights — like a residential or commercial roof — is the leading cause of deaths in both roofing and construction in general. These falls can be prevented by following safety precautions.
A big part of preventing falls is ladder safety. That means properly securing ladders for safe roof access, with extension ladders extending at least 3 feet above the roof level. Ladders should be set at an appropriate angle: the base should be placed one foot out for every four feet of ladder height.
There are more safety measures to take once on the roof, like setting up fall prevention guidelines, wearing appropriate PPE like a harness, and installing anchors on a roof that roofers can tether to. We install a D-ring tie-down anchor on a roof and often leave them in place for future safe access.
Safe Loading of Roofing Materials
Roofing materials are heavy, which is why it is not advisable or safe to load them onto a roof by climbing up a ladder with a bundle of shingles strapped to your back. J&K Roofing has their suppliers roof load shingles and other materials onto a roof using a power conveyor or a boom truck when there is clearance on the property. Think of a boom truck like a flatbed with a crane attached to it; the shingles are lifted from ground level and safely placed onto a roof.
Regular, Required Safety Meetings
The most powerful tool for a roofer to have is education, which is why we have regular, required safety meetings to discuss safety procedures, accidents, and appropriate processes to help prevent and manage accidents.
In addition to these regular safety meetings, we’re also always aware of weather conditions that might impact a project, and we monitor all other safety issues including proper equipment maintenance and use.
We Will Safely Complete Your Roofing Project
You want your roofing project to be completed accurately and on time — but you need your roofing project to be completed safely for all involved. This is one more reason why it’s important that you hire a trusted, local roofing company to handle your job.
J&K Roofing has been handling roofing projects in the Northern Colorado, Denver Metro, Front Range, and Colorado Springs areas for nearly 40 years. We are familiar with the climate, weather, and all safety measures that must be taken to get your job done right and without incident.
Click here to get in touch with us today, or give us a call at 303-425-7531. We’d love to talk about your roofing needs!